Professional Skilled Migration
Professional Skilled Migration Visas to Australia
Professional Skilled Migration Visas to Australia
Professional Skilled Migration is based on the professional skills, qualifications, and experience of the Applicant.
There are three migration paths in this category:
(1) The Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189).
(2) The Skilled State Sponsored Visa (subclass 190).
(3) The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491).
Kangaroo Migration Services can help you decide the most appropriate visa for your individual needs.
The Skilled Independent visa is a permanent resident visa granted to applicants who receive a minimum of 65 points on their preliminary assessment- see the Points Test below. The visa applicant must demonstrate that he/she has the qualification or skills of an occupation that appears on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List. There are currently approx. 210 occupations on this list which is updated from time to time.
An applicant whose occupation is listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List does not require sponsorship from a state or territory.
for more information on the list: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list (189-Skilled Independent (subclass 189) – points-Tested).
(2) Skilled State Sponsored Visa (subclass 190)
The Skilled State Sponsored Visa is a visa that requires the sponsorship of a State Government or a Territory Government according to the State Migration Plan. Each of the states and territories in Australia has its own State Migration Plan which it publishes and varies from time to time. A government of one of the states or territories in Australia is required to sponsor the Applicant according to its State Migration Plan based on the skills in demand in that region. This visa is awarded to applicants who receive a minimum of 60 points on their preliminary assessment and are able to demonstrate that they have the qualification or skills of an occupation that appears on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List or on the Short Term Skilled Occupation List. See the Points Test below: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list (190 – Skilled Nominated (subclass 190).
This visa is a permanent resident visa based upon state sponsorship and is granted on the condition that the applicant commits to living in the state or territory in which sponsorship is offered for a minimum of 2 years.
Sponsorships can be offered by the following states and territories:
- The Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Queensland
- South Australia
- The Northern Territory
- Western Australia
- Tasmania
(3) Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491)
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) is a temporary resident visa granted to applicants who do not achieve the 65 points minimum required to obtain either a Skilled Independent visa or a Skilled Nominated visa. Applicants who choose to immigrate with this visa need to be prepared to live in regional Australia in the state or territory in which sponsorship is offered for a minimum of 3 years, have 50 points and an occupation that is found on the Regional Occupation List: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list
(189-Skilled Independent (subclass 189) – Points-Tested).
After the three year period, the Skilled Regional Sponsored visa holder can apply for a permanent resident visa provided that the visa holder has lived for three years in the regional area that sponsored him/her and has worked full-time for in a ‘designated’ or ‘regional’ area of Australia.
The regional sponsorship lists are published from time to time and change frequently. All the following state governments have published regional sponsorship lists:
- The Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Queensland
- South Australia
- The Northern Territory
- Western Australia
- Tasmania
The Points Test
If one applies for a visa under the Skilled-Independent Class visas, the Skilled-Sponsored visas or the Skilled-Regional Sponsored visas, then assessment is against a points test.
Points are awarded for:
a. Age
b. Skill
c. English language ability
d. Specific work experience
e. Australian work experience
f. Educational qualifications
g. Accredited Community Language
h. Studying in Regional Australia
i. Partner Skill Qualifications
j. State/Territory Government Nomination/Sponsorship (visa subclass 190)
k. State/Territory Regional Government Nomination/Sponsorship or Sponsorship by an eligible relative (visa subclass 489)
l. Professional Year in Australia
a. Age
Points are awarded for your age at the time your application is lodged, as follows:
18-24 years inclusive =25 points.
25-32 years inclusive= 30 points
33-39 years inclusive= 25 points
40-44 years inclusive= 15 points
upon reaching the age of 45, one is no longer able to file an immigration application to Australia based on a skilled occupation visa.
b. Skill
To file an application for immigration to Australia, your occupation must appear on the one of the following lists depending on what type of skilled migration visa you are applying for.
– the Skilled-Independent Class visa (subclass 189) – your occupation must be on the Medium and Long term Strategic Skills List. There are approx. 210 occupations that are eligible for immigration on this list.
– the Skilled State Sponsored visa (subclass 190) – your occupation must be on the Medium and Long term Strategic Skills List or on the Short term Skilled Occupation List. There are approx. 210 occupations on the Medium and Long term Strategic Skills List and approx. 215 occupations on the Short term Skilled Occupation List that are recognized as eligible for immigration.
– the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – your occupation must be on the Regional Occupation List. There are approx. 75 occupations that are eligible for immigration on this list.
For more information, please check the full list: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list
c. English language ability
The Applicant needs to provide proof of his/her English language ability by submitting the test results of one of the following English language tests:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Occupational English Test (OET)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test (also known as Certificate in Advanced English)
Some Australian skills assessing bodies don’t accept all of the above English language tests for the purposes of a skills assessment, so it is best to consult Kangaroo Migration Services before you take any English language test.
d. Specific Work experience
If the Applicant has worked in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation at a skilled level then he/she may be able to claim the following points:
– At least 3 years but less than 5 years of work experience (in the past 10 years) =5 points.
– At least 5 years but less than 8 years of work experience (in the past 10 years) =10 points.
– At least 8 years but less than 10 years of work experience (in the past 10 years) = 15 points.
e. Australian Work experience
If the Applicant has worked in AUSTRALIA in his/her nominated occupation or a closely related occupation at a skilled level then he/she may be able to claim the following points:
– At least 1 year but less than 3 years of work experience (in the past 10 years) =5 points.
– At least 3 years but less than 5 years of work experience (in the past 10 years) =10 points.
– At least 5 years but less than 8 years of work experience (in the past 10 years) =15 points.
– At least 8 years but less than 10 years of work experience (in the past 10 years) = 20 points.
It should be noted that there is a maximum of 20 points that can be claimed for any combination of work experience and Australian work experience.
f. Educational Qualifications
Doctorate from an Australian educational institution or other Doctorate of a recognized standard = 20 points.
At least a Bachelor degree, including a Bachelor degree with Honors or Masters, from an Australian educational institution or other degree of a recognized standard = 15 points.
Diploma or trade qualification or other qualification completed in Australia or qualification or award of recognized standard =10 points.
g. Accredited Community Language
The Applicant can claim 5 points for an accredited community language that is accredited by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).
h. Studying in Australia
If the Applicant has one or more degrees, diplomas or trade qualifications awarded by an Australian educational institution and has studied for at least two (2) year study requirement and throughout the period has lived in a part of Australia and undertaken his/her study at a campus where the postcode is listed as being in a regional or low population metropolitan growth area, then he/she can claim 5 points.
i. Partner Skill Qualification
A spouse or interdependent partner can claim the following points:
a. By passing one of the English language tests, 5 points can be added.
b. By obtaining a skill assessment from the relent skills assessment body in Australia an additional 5 point can be claimed.
j. State/Territory Government Nomination/Sponsorship (visa subclass190)
The Applicant can claim 5 points if he/she has applied and received state sponsorship under the State Migration Plan by one of the state governments in Australia for a Skilled-Sponsored Visa (subclass 190).
k. State/Territory Regional Government Nomination/Sponsorship or Sponsorship by an eligible relative (visa subclass 491 visa)
An applicant who has been nominated for a regional government nomination by a state or territory government under a State Migration Plan for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491 visa) or has an eligible relative who resides in a regional area, can receive 15 points for a subclass 491 visa.
l. Professional Year in Australia
The Applicant can receive 5 points if he/she has completed a Professional year (12 months) in Australia in the four years before he/she submits the immigration application. The professional year must have been completed in the nominated skill occupation or a closely related skilled occupation.